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Merissa (13840 KP) rated Poisoned Heart (Twisted Mafia Vows #1) in Books
Jan 23, 2026
POISONED HEART is the first book in the Twisted Mafia Vows series, but we did meet with Corvus previously in Damen and Killian's story, Christmas Mafia Prince.
I loved Corvus in that, so couldn't wait for this one. This one didn't quite hit the mark, but it wasn't far off. It depends on what you're looking for. If you want a story that's high on the Mafia side, then I'm guessing this won't work for you. However, if you're like me and were here for the banter and growing pains, then you're all good.
Corvus is full of black cat energy, or maybe that should be black raven energy, has been put in the closet for most of his life, and is still trying to live up to impossible standards set by his dead father. Dalton, on the other hand, is the golden retriever who just wants to cuddle. Okay, so maybe he's very good at 'other' things, but a cuddle never goes amiss. These two fall quickly and are incredibly protective of each other, even when it doesn't seem so. Plus, Dalton isn't above telling Corvus to pull his head back in when he's not being so nice.
I loved catching up with Damen and Killian, and the others, although I think Aspen is a marmite character. You will either love him or hate him. He annoys me, but I'm prepared to wait for his story before I judge!
So, to sum it up, a great romance that is light on the mafia, and up there for miscommunication and banter. A great read that I thoroughly enjoyed and definitely recommend. Bring on the next!
** Same worded review will appear elsewhere. **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jan 23, 2026
I loved Corvus in that, so couldn't wait for this one. This one didn't quite hit the mark, but it wasn't far off. It depends on what you're looking for. If you want a story that's high on the Mafia side, then I'm guessing this won't work for you. However, if you're like me and were here for the banter and growing pains, then you're all good.
Corvus is full of black cat energy, or maybe that should be black raven energy, has been put in the closet for most of his life, and is still trying to live up to impossible standards set by his dead father. Dalton, on the other hand, is the golden retriever who just wants to cuddle. Okay, so maybe he's very good at 'other' things, but a cuddle never goes amiss. These two fall quickly and are incredibly protective of each other, even when it doesn't seem so. Plus, Dalton isn't above telling Corvus to pull his head back in when he's not being so nice.
I loved catching up with Damen and Killian, and the others, although I think Aspen is a marmite character. You will either love him or hate him. He annoys me, but I'm prepared to wait for his story before I judge!
So, to sum it up, a great romance that is light on the mafia, and up there for miscommunication and banter. A great read that I thoroughly enjoyed and definitely recommend. Bring on the next!
** Same worded review will appear elsewhere. **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jan 23, 2026
Cold Granite (Logan McRae #1)
8.2
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Christmas is coming, cold, dark and wet, bringing death with it. DS Logan McRae is having a bad...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2504 KP) rated Murder with a Twist in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Former NYPD cop Nic and her husband Nigel are in New York for Christmas and to celebrate his cousin’s 25th birthday. Only Audrey’s husband Leo has disappeared, and she is threatening to not attend her own party if he isn’t found. Nic is asked by the family to track down Leo, and soon she is back in contact with her contacts on the shady side of the law. A dead body and learning just what kind of man Leo is make Nic wonder if Audrey would be better off without her husband. But where is he?
This book is a wonderful tribute to The Thin Man, and fans of Hammett’s classic book or the films will love it. However, even if you aren’t familiar with them, you’ll still absolutely love this book. The plot is well constructed with plenty of twists and surprises. The characters are all strong. And there are tons of laughs, be they from Nic and Nigel’s new dog or the banter between the characters. Pick this book up today.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/01/book-review-murder-with-twist-by-tracy.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This book is a wonderful tribute to The Thin Man, and fans of Hammett’s classic book or the films will love it. However, even if you aren’t familiar with them, you’ll still absolutely love this book. The plot is well constructed with plenty of twists and surprises. The characters are all strong. And there are tons of laughs, be they from Nic and Nigel’s new dog or the banter between the characters. Pick this book up today.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/01/book-review-murder-with-twist-by-tracy.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Things Can Only Get Worse
Book
'...as the Labour candidate I prepared for every possible question on the local radio Election...
A Cruel Necessity
Book
The first John Grey historical mystery The theatres are padlocked. Christmas has been cancelled. It...
Mrs. Claus and the Halloween Homicide
10.0
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Mrs. Claus is the gift that keeps giving in the second installment of Liz Ireland’s newest cozy...
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Grime and Punishment (The Brothers Grime #1) in Books
Jan 12, 2021
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I’m rather picky about my MM Romances. I don’t know why, but I am. Josh Lanyon really started me on genre when I got book 4 in his Adrian English series for free one Christmas through All Romance E-Books. As soon as I read it I went and bought book 5 to see how it was all going to work out and I loved it. The only problem with that is the fact that I’ve probably been spoilt for most other MM books now.
That’s not to say it was bad or anything it just didn’t really do it for me, though I’m not entirely sure why. I liked the fact it was based around something different i.e. crime scene clearance, and it was interesting to read about the depth they go to to clean them.
The romance between the two main characters was quite sweet and progressed over time, which I liked much better than some others which just go straight into the hot and heavy. The two were likable in their own ways and when they finally kissed I was cheering them on.
I also really liked Gabe and Dave, they were always just looking out for Jack and trying to help him do the right thing, even if it didn’t always seem like it.
If you’re a fan of MM Romance’s then I’m sure you’ll like this.
I’m rather picky about my MM Romances. I don’t know why, but I am. Josh Lanyon really started me on genre when I got book 4 in his Adrian English series for free one Christmas through All Romance E-Books. As soon as I read it I went and bought book 5 to see how it was all going to work out and I loved it. The only problem with that is the fact that I’ve probably been spoilt for most other MM books now.
That’s not to say it was bad or anything it just didn’t really do it for me, though I’m not entirely sure why. I liked the fact it was based around something different i.e. crime scene clearance, and it was interesting to read about the depth they go to to clean them.
The romance between the two main characters was quite sweet and progressed over time, which I liked much better than some others which just go straight into the hot and heavy. The two were likable in their own ways and when they finally kissed I was cheering them on.
I also really liked Gabe and Dave, they were always just looking out for Jack and trying to help him do the right thing, even if it didn’t always seem like it.
If you’re a fan of MM Romance’s then I’m sure you’ll like this.
A Cowboy Holiday
7.0
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The cowboy, the rancher, and a little holiday magic... Tanner I met the grumpiest man on the...
Contemporary MM Romance Seasonal
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Best Day Ever in Books
Jan 21, 2018
Creepy, eerie narration (2 more)
Unreliable narrator
Tense and terrifying writing
Creepy, twisted tale
Paul Strom has the perfect life. He's a successful, wealthy advertising executive with a gorgeous wife, Mia, and two young sons. They live happily in a beautiful house and all is well. Paul is even taking Mia away for a romantic weekend to the couple's lake home--just to celebrate how good they have it. But the day starts off poorly--they are delayed when Paul takes a phone call, seemingly annoying Mia, and it's clear there is tension between the perfect couple. As they drive toward the lake, it appears as if nothing as is good and wonderful as it seems.
I'd heard a lot of good things about this book and was excited to receive it for Christmas. I have to say that Rouda definitely nails the unreliable narrator. The book is told entirely from Paul's perspective, and the result is an eerie, creepy tale. At first he seems like a slightly overbearing husband whose focus is on providing for his family. But as the story progresses, Paul drops a lot of clues that something (perhaps a lot of somethings) is off and more and more comes to light as the story unfolds that all is not as it seems with Paul and Mia.
As for Mia, we basically see her only from Paul's point of view, which is interesting. Is she truly this obedient wife, submitting to her husband's every whim? And is Paul truly fooling Mia as much as he thinks he is? We're along for the ride, subject to Paul's arrogance and forced to read between the lines as he tells us his tale.
In a way, not much happens in this novel, which basically covers one day--Paul and Mia's "best day ever" away at their lake house--and it can get slow at times. I kept waiting for some explosive surprise or reveal, but that never really materialized. Instead, the strength here is in the tense and terrifying writing and the characterization of Paul, which was beyond superb. As the hours tick by, you'll be on the edge of your seat and sucked into Paul's delusions. I sort of loved his machinations and was totally drawn into his sick little world. He reminded me a bit of Joe from You - just a great, albeit sick, character.
I'd heard a lot of good things about this book and was excited to receive it for Christmas. I have to say that Rouda definitely nails the unreliable narrator. The book is told entirely from Paul's perspective, and the result is an eerie, creepy tale. At first he seems like a slightly overbearing husband whose focus is on providing for his family. But as the story progresses, Paul drops a lot of clues that something (perhaps a lot of somethings) is off and more and more comes to light as the story unfolds that all is not as it seems with Paul and Mia.
As for Mia, we basically see her only from Paul's point of view, which is interesting. Is she truly this obedient wife, submitting to her husband's every whim? And is Paul truly fooling Mia as much as he thinks he is? We're along for the ride, subject to Paul's arrogance and forced to read between the lines as he tells us his tale.
In a way, not much happens in this novel, which basically covers one day--Paul and Mia's "best day ever" away at their lake house--and it can get slow at times. I kept waiting for some explosive surprise or reveal, but that never really materialized. Instead, the strength here is in the tense and terrifying writing and the characterization of Paul, which was beyond superb. As the hours tick by, you'll be on the edge of your seat and sucked into Paul's delusions. I sort of loved his machinations and was totally drawn into his sick little world. He reminded me a bit of Joe from You - just a great, albeit sick, character.
Debbiereadsbook (1678 KP) rated Christmas Mafia Prince (The Naughty List) in Books
Nov 24, 2025
dark, nutty and so flipping cute!
Independent reviewer for GRR, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is part of The Naughty List series, the first one published. If they are all as good as this, I'm ALL in!
This book, right? It's freaking nuts and sexy and dark and deadly, and yes, I tagged it too stinking cute, because it is!
Damen wants to join the annual Christmas family hunt. he can't, because he isn't married. Well, he'll show his father, right? And the perfect opportunity lands, quite literally, in his lap, in the space of Killian. Killian really has no idea what just happened, but now he's on a luxury jet, fake married to the sexiest man he ever saw and heading for something he isn't quite sure he will fit into.
This book is dark and deadly. The Hunt they are doing? Enemies kept alive for this sole purpose. But Killian doesn't know that, at first. When he finds out, he's shocked, yes but it then explains a lot. Damen is assassin for his family.
It's smexy, oh so VERY smexy! The chemistry between these two is scorching hawt and burns strong and high, right through the book.
It's cute, because Damen is smitten with his husband, almost from the very first meeting and more so, when Killian stands up to Damen's father. And when Killian does what he does before The Hunt?? Oooofff that man is turned the fluff on! But it's not just the smexy bits with Damen. He really does thing Killian is The One,even if it started as a fake thing.
But the best bit?? I couldn't see where this was going for a long time! And I loved that. Obviously I knew it would go belly up at some point, but I couldn't see it coming and I did NOT see what the rather jealous brother was doing!!
AND!!!!!!!!!!!! First person, present tense, mulit point of view! Didn't even notice til I was writing this up!
I have listened to some KA Merikan, I love the Wrong Side of the Tracks series and this book has all those hallmarks of starting an amazing series with some very interesting characters, Corvus and Aspen especially!
5 full and slightly deranged but so bloody good, stars!
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is part of The Naughty List series, the first one published. If they are all as good as this, I'm ALL in!
This book, right? It's freaking nuts and sexy and dark and deadly, and yes, I tagged it too stinking cute, because it is!
Damen wants to join the annual Christmas family hunt. he can't, because he isn't married. Well, he'll show his father, right? And the perfect opportunity lands, quite literally, in his lap, in the space of Killian. Killian really has no idea what just happened, but now he's on a luxury jet, fake married to the sexiest man he ever saw and heading for something he isn't quite sure he will fit into.
This book is dark and deadly. The Hunt they are doing? Enemies kept alive for this sole purpose. But Killian doesn't know that, at first. When he finds out, he's shocked, yes but it then explains a lot. Damen is assassin for his family.
It's smexy, oh so VERY smexy! The chemistry between these two is scorching hawt and burns strong and high, right through the book.
It's cute, because Damen is smitten with his husband, almost from the very first meeting and more so, when Killian stands up to Damen's father. And when Killian does what he does before The Hunt?? Oooofff that man is turned the fluff on! But it's not just the smexy bits with Damen. He really does thing Killian is The One,even if it started as a fake thing.
But the best bit?? I couldn't see where this was going for a long time! And I loved that. Obviously I knew it would go belly up at some point, but I couldn't see it coming and I did NOT see what the rather jealous brother was doing!!
AND!!!!!!!!!!!! First person, present tense, mulit point of view! Didn't even notice til I was writing this up!
I have listened to some KA Merikan, I love the Wrong Side of the Tracks series and this book has all those hallmarks of starting an amazing series with some very interesting characters, Corvus and Aspen especially!
5 full and slightly deranged but so bloody good, stars!
*same worded review will appear elsewhere